Roller skate construction

ABSTRACT

A sole plate has a leaf spring construction underneath to which the wheels are mounted. Check means are provided to prevent the sole plate from rubbing on the wheel rims and an easily operated positive toe catch is incorporated in the sole plate.

United States Patent 51 Apr.4,1972

Collett [54] ROLLER SKATE CONSTRUCTION [72] inventor: Ralph Collett, 356 Regent Ave. W., Winnipeg 25, Manitoba, Canada [22] Filed: May 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 40,916

[52] U.S.Cl. ..280/1l.23, 280/1 1.28, 280/1131 [51] lnt.Cl. [58] Field olSearch ..280/11.23, 11.28, 11.14, 11.27, 280/1126, 11.19, 11.31, 11.32, 11.3, 7.13

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 304,949 9/1884 Mitchell ..280/l 1.28 X 1,866,134 7/1932 Smith 892,164 6/1908 King 1,653,558 12/1927 Fisher ..280/11.23

2,016,847 10/1935 Wylie ..2so/11.2s

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3,419 1910 GreatBritain ..2so/11.23 41,866 12/1887 Germany 50,366 1/1890 Germany ..280/11.33

Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith Attorney-Kent & Ade

[5 7] ABSTRACT A sole plate has a leaf spring construction underneath to which the wheels are mounted. Check means are provided to prevent the sole plate from rubbing on the wheel rims-and an easily operated positive toe catch is incorporated in the sole plate.

11 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PMENTEBAPR 41912 B. 653 ,678

' sum 2 0F 2 INVENTOR RALPH CQLLETT ATTORNEY ROLLER SKATE CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in roller skates and although the drawings and the description refer to two wheeled roller skates, nevertheless it will be appreciated that the same structure can be used for four wheel skates as desired and it is to be understood that the claims of this specification include both two and four wheeled skate assemblies.

It is desirable that roller skates have a certain resiliency in order to give comfort to the wearer particularly when being used over relatively rough surfaces.

One method is to mount the wheels in rubber blocks and another method is to provide rubber rims to the wheels. However both of these methods do not provide the resilient rocking action desired apart from the fact that they are relatively involved in manufacture and construction.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages inasmuch as a pair of opposed leaf springs carry the wheels upon each end thereof with the sole plates supported thereabove approximately centrally of the sole plate so that for and aft rocking action is present together with vertical resiliency.

The principle object and escence of the invention is therefore to provide a device of the character herewithin described which provided vertical resiliency as well as for and aft resiliency to a two or four wheeled skate assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which means are provided to prevent the underside of the sole plate from engaging the rims of the wheels if the for and aft or vertical movement becomes excessive.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which includes a noveltoe catch assembly.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple inconstruction, economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing in view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of, and is hereby claimed to reside in, the inventive concept which is comprised, embodied, embraced, or included in the method, process, construction, composition, arrangement or combination of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, of which concept, one or more specific embodiments of same are herein exemplified as illustrative only of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of my device.

FIG. 2 is an underside view ofFlG. 1

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary isometric view showing an alternative construction of the snubbers.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 3 showing an alternative construction of the substructure.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation, partially sectioned of the toe engaging means.

FIG. 7 is a top plane view of one of the welt engaging clips.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the rocker bar.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of sole plate showing the fulcrum means for the toe engaging means.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary isometric view of an alternative embodiment of one of the bifucated ends of one of the leaf spring members.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary underside view partially in section, of the front end of the device with the alternative embodiment of FIG. 10 incorporated therein.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which 10 illustrates the sole plate preferably made of metal or the like including an arcuately curved heel engaging plate 11 secured to the rear end of the sole plate by means of rivets l2.

The substructure collectively designated 13 extends downwardly from the underside of the sole plate intermediate the ends thereof and dealing first with the embodiment of the substructure shown in FIG. l,-it consists of a metal stamping or the like including an arcuately curved base portion 14 with upwardly extending side walls 15 formed therewith. These side walls terminate in horizontal flanges 16 by which the substructure may be riveted to the underside of the sole plate by means of rivets 17.

FIGS. 3 and 5 show an alternative construction of the substructure in which side portions 18 are bent downwardly from the sole plate, it being understood that the side portions are stamped with the sole plate. The lower ends of the side portions 18 extend inwardly in a horizontal manner as indicated by 19 as clearly shown in the drawings.

A pair of longitudinally situated leaf spring members 20 and 21 are provided, the major portion 22 of the upper leaf spring member 20 being upwardly curved as clearly shown.

The major portion 22A of the lower leaf spring member 21 is similarly arcuately curved but in the opposite direction or downwardly. The ends 23 of the two leaf spring members are in interfacial relationship and may be secured together by spot welding or the like (not illustrated) and it will be observed that these ends are bifurcated as at 24.

The upwardly curved portion 22 of the upper leaf spring member 20 is secured to the arcuately curved base 14 of the substructure by means of rivets 25 and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this portion 22 of the leaf spring member spans the base portion 14.

However in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the portion 22 of the upper leaf spring member 20 engages the horizontal portions 19 of the substructure as clearly shown.

The bifurcated ends 26 of the leaf spring members are turned at right angles to the plane of the leaf spring members as clearly shown in the drawings and are apertured to receive the spindles or axles 27 upon which the ground engaging wheels 28 are journalled for rotation. Conventional means such as nuts 29 may secure the axles to the bifurcated ends 26. The wheels are conventional in construction and are preferably covered by a rubber tire 30 around the periphery thereof.

It is necessary to provide means to prevent the underside 31 of the sole plate from engaging the rubber tires 30 during excessive for and aft or vertical resilient movement between the sole plate and the leaf spring assemblies.

Snubbers are therefore provided and two embodiments are shown.

In the FIG. l in full line, a snubber 32 is secured to the upper leaf spring member 20 between the wheels 28 and the substructure 13 and these snubbers extend upwardly and away from the substructure terminating in substantially horizontal ends 33 spaced from the underside of the sole plate when in the normal position. It will be observed that if excessive vertical movement occurs these snubbers strike the side of the sole plate and as the snubbers are preferably resilient themselves, no shock is felt. By the same token excessive for and aft rocking movement around the substructure is also prevented by means of these snubbers.

An alternative construction of these snubbers is shown in phantom in FIG. 1 and full line in FIG. 4 and in this case, the snubbers are struck out from the end walls 15 of the substructure as indicated by reference character 32A. These struck out portions curve downwardly and away from the end walls 15 and terminate spaced from the upper leaf spring member 20 so that they are engaged thereby if excessive vertical movement or excessive for and aft movement are encountered during use.

A novel toe engaging means is provided and shown in detail in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

Fulcrum means 34 consists of tabs or brackets bent downwardly from the side edges 35 of the sole plate adjacent the front or toe end 36 and a relatively small extending portion 37 is formed on the down turned edge of this tab.

Welt engaging clips or strips 38 consist of longitudinal portions with clip ends 39 formed on one end thereof and a longitudinal closed end slot 40 formed through the major portion 41 as clearly shown in FIG. 7 and this slot engages the portions 37 of the fulcrum means thus permitting free inwardly and upwardly sliding movement of the clips limited by the length of the slots 40.

A rocker bar 42 consists of a strip 43 having up turned ends 44 formed thereon and a central drilling or hole 45.

A stud 46 extends downwardly from the sole plate in the centre thereof and a wing nut 47 engages the stud and holds the rocker bar in position as shown in FIG. 6. The ends 44 of the rocker bar engage the undersides of the clips 38 outboard of the fulcrum means 34 as clearly illustrated in FIG. 6.

In use, the sole of the shoe is placed in position with the heel cup 11 whereupon the clips 38 are slid inwardly manually until the clip ends 39 engage over the welt of the shoe of the wearer. The wing nut 47 is then tightened thus moving the rocker bar upwardly and as the ends 44 of the rocker bar are outboard of the fulcrum means 34, the tip ends 39 tip inwardly as shown in phantom in FIG. 6 thus ensuring a tight grip around the welt of the shoe.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept which is herein disclosed and/or claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A roller skate comprising in combination a sole plate, heel engaging means at the rear end of the sole plate and adjustable toe engaging means adjacent the other end of said sole plate, a pair of longitudinally extending leaf spring members, means to secure said members intermediate the ends thereof to the underside of said sole plate, and at least one ground engaging wheel journalled for rotation on each end of said leaf spring members, said leaf spring members being bowed apart through the major portion of the length thereof and in interfacial relationship at the ends thereof, said means to secure said leaf spring members to the underside of said sole place including a substructure extending downwardly from said sole plate, the uppermost of said leaf spring members being secured to said substructure.

2. The roller skate according to claim 1 which includes means to prevent inadvertent engagement of the underside of said sole plate with the rims of said wheels when in use.

3. The roller skate according to claim 2 in which said last mentioned means includes a pair of snubbers secured to said leaf spring members and extending upwardly towards said sole plate and terminating spaced therefrom, said snubbers being situated one adjacent each end of said substructure.

4. The roller skate according to claim 2 in which said last mentioned means includes a pair of snubbers on said substructure and extending downwardly towards said leaf spring members and terminating spaced therefrom, said snubbers being situated one upon each end of said substructure and being struck out therefrom.

5. The roller skate according to claim 1 in which the ends of said leaf spring members are bifurcated, the bifurcated portions being turned at right angles to the plane of the leaf spring members and acting as bearing supports for said ground engaging wheels.

6. The roller skate according to claim 3 in which the ends of said leaf spring members are bifurcated, the bifurcated portions being turned at right angles to the plane of the leaf spring members and acting as bearing supports for said ground engaging wheels.

7. The roller skate according to claim 4 in which the ends of said leaf spring members are bifurcated, the bifurcated portions being turned at right angles to the plane of the leaf spring members and acting as bearing supports for said ground engaging wheels.

8. The roller skate according to claim 1 in which said toe engaging means includes a pair of slotted welt engaging clips, fulcrum means on said sole plate mounting said clips for inwardly and outwardly sliding movement limited by the length of the slots in said clips, a central] located wing nut and stud assembly extending downwar ly from said sole plate and a rocker bar on said stud, the ends of the rocker bar engaging said clips outboard of said fulcrum means whereby tightening said wing nut and stud assembly pivots the welt engaging ends of said clips inwardly.

9. The roller skate according to claim 1 in which said toe engaging means includes a pair of slotted welt engaging clips, fulcrum means on said sole plate mounting said clips for inwardly and outwardly sliding movement limited by the length of the slots in said clips, a centrally located wing nut and stud assembly extending downwardly from said sole plate and a rocker bar on said stud, the ends of the rocker bar engaging said clips outboard of said fulcrum means whereby tightening said wing nut and stud assembly pivots the welt engaging ends of said clips inwardly.

10. The roller skate according to claim 3 in which said toe engaging means includes a pair of slotted welt engaging clips, fulcrum means on said sole plate mounting said clips for inwardly and outwardly sliding movement limited by the length of the slots in said clips, a centrally located wing nut and stud assembly extending downwardly from said sole plate and a rocker bar on said stud, the ends of the rocker bar engaging said clips outboard of said fulcrum means whereby tightening said wing nut and stud assembly pivots the welt engaging ends of said clips inwardly.

11. The roller skate according to claim 5 in which said toe engaging means includes a pair of slotted welt engaging clips, fulcrum means on said sole plate mounting said clips for inwardly and outwardly sliding movement limited by the length of the slots in said clips, a centrally located wing nut and stud assembly extending downwardly from said sole plate and a rocker bar on said stud, the ends of the rocker bar engaging said clips outboard of said fulcrum means whereby tightening said wing nut and stud assembly pivots the welt engaging ends of said clips inwardly. 

1. A roller skate comprising in combination a sole plate, heel engaging means at the rear end of the sole plate and adjustable toe engaging means adjacent the other end of said sole plate, a pair of longitudinally extending leaf spring members, means to secure said members intermediate the ends thereof to the underside of said sole plate, and at least one ground engaging wheel journalled for rotation on each end of said leaf spring members, said leaf spring members being bowed apart through the major portion of the length thereof and in interfacial relationship at the ends thereof, said means to secure said leaf spring members to the underside of said sole place including a substructure extending downwardly from said sole plate, the uppermost of said leaf spring members being secured to said substructure.
 2. The roller skate according to claim 1 which includes means to prevent inadvertent engagement of the underside of said sole plate with the rims of said wheels when in use.
 3. The roller skate according to claim 2 in which said last mentioned means includes a pair of snubbers secured to said leaf spring members and extending upwardly towards said sole plate and terminating spaced therefrom, said snubbers being situated one adjacent each end of said substructure.
 4. The roller skate according to claim 2 in which said last mentioned means includes a pair of snubbers on said substructure and extending downwardly towards said leaf spring members and terminating spaced therefrom, said snubbers being situated one upon each end of said substructure and being struck out therefrom.
 5. The roller skate according to claim 1 in which the ends of said leaf spring members are bifurcated, the bifurcated portions being turned at right angles to the plane of the leaf spring members and acting as bearing supports for said ground engaging wheels.
 6. The roller skate according to claim 3 in which the ends of said leaf spring members are bifurcated, the bifurcated portions being turned at right angles to the plane of the leaf spring members and acting as bearing supports for said ground engaging wheels.
 7. The roller skate according to claim 4 in which the ends of said leaf spring members are bifurcated, the bifurcated portions being turned at right angles to the plane of the leaf spring members and acting as bearing supports for said ground engaging wheels.
 8. The roller skate according to claim 1 in which said toe engaging means includes a pair of slotted welt engaging clips, fulcrum means on said sole plate mounting said clips for inwardly and outwardly sliding movement limited by the length of the slots in said clips, a centrally located wing nut and stud assembly extending downwardly from said sole plate and a rocker bar on said stud, the ends of the rocker bar engaging said clips outboard of said fulcrum means whereby tightening said wing nut and stud assembly pivots the welt engaging ends of said clips inwardly.
 9. The roller skate according to claim 1 in which said toe engaging means includes a pair of slotted welt engaging clips, fulcrum means on said sole plate mounting said clips for inwardly and outwardly sliding movement limited by the length of the slots in said clips, a centrally located wing nut and stud assembly extending downwardly from said sole plate and a rocker bar on said stud, the ends of the rocker bar engaging said clips outboard of said fulcrum means whereby tightening said wing nut and stud assembly pivots the welt engaging ends of said clips inwardly.
 10. The roller skate according to claim 3 in which said toe engaging means includes a pair of slotted welt engaging clips, fulcrum means on said sole plate mounting said clips for inwardly and outwardly sliding movement limited by the length of the slots in said clips, a centrally located wing nut and stud assembly extending downwardly from said sole plate and a rocker bar on said stud, the ends of the rocker bar engaging said clips outboard of said fulcrum means whereby tightening said wing nut and stud assembly pivots the welt engaging ends of said clips inwardly.
 11. The roller skate according to claim 5 in which said toe engaging means includes a pair of slotted welt engaging clips, fulcrum means on said sole plate mounting said clips for inwardly and outwardly sliding movement limited by the length of the slots in said clips, a centrally located wing nut and stud assembly extending downwardly from said sole plate and a rocker bar on said stud, the ends of the rocker bar engaging said clips outboard of said fulcrum means whereby tightening said wing nut and stud assembly pivots the welt engaging ends of said clips inwardly. 